“Sizzling chemistry, captivating story line. I loved every delicious page!”“The most exciting collaboration in contemporary romance”“You will live it. You will dream it. You will fall head over heels in love with it.”“Never have I felt more invested in a male MC.”“The best sports romance book ever!”“An incredible journey I won’t forget.”“Grab it and let Jane and Stuart put you under their spell. … and let Jane and Stuart put you under their spell. FIVE well deserved stars for this new favourite!”
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A Sports Romance
When your world crashes down
When they all say you’re out
When your body is broken
I will rise.
I will return.
And I will be undefeated.
Nick Renshaw is the golden boy of British rugby. When a serious injury threatens his career, he starts to spiral downwards, a broken man.
Abandoned and betrayed by those closest to him, he fights to restart his life. Maybe there’s someone out there who can help him. Maybe he can find his way back toward the light. Maybe … not.
Dr. Anna Scott might be the one person who can help Nick, but she has her own secrets. And when Nick’s past comes back to haunt them both, the enigmatic doctor is more vulnerable than she seems.
Broken and betrayed, the struggle to survive seems intolerable. Who will give in, and who will rise, undefeated?
“Never have I felt more invested in a male MC than I did in Undefeated by Stuart Reardon and Jane Harvey-Berrick. I had highs and lows right beside Nick as his career took off and tanked and took off, again…and nearly fell apart again. And Reardon and Harvey-Berrick don’t disappoint. This is a man who FEELS. ”
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If the reader had the impression that Undefeated would be a romance book, forget it. This is a book on overcoming. On how to face the setbacks that life presents us, and even at the bottom, reborn, seeing that life has to continue. Although the romance is present, and yes, it’s important to the plot, it is not the main point in the narrative. This is Nick’s journey. This is his story of overcoming.
Nick is an ordinary guy. He plays rugby in the second division, is dating, has a good family base, is a good guy, knows how difficult life is, so he is looking for a better future. Until luck seems to start smiling at him. After so much effort, his talent is recognized, and he is hired by a major league team. His dream seems to be coming true. Or not. In his last game before appearing in the new club, he suffers an injury. And this event will throw his life into an uncontrolled vortex. This will be the first step in Nick’s downfall.
In the midst of this whirlwind, we meet Anna, a doctor who deals with recovery athletes and will work with Nick. What begins as a professional relationship will turn into a feeling too big to suffocate.
Two people unknown, with their own stories and past, who will come closer, will find that they have feelings, and their lives will be transformed. For the good and the bad. Mostly the bad. Nick from promise, will become the injured athlete. And if it was not enough to get himself pressed to improve, worry about his new contract will be more of a problem, coupled with the lack of help and support from your girlfriend. What to talk about Molly. Narcissist to the extreme. Since appearing in the book, I did not like her. I do not understand how Nick can date her, and worse, ask her to marry him. Hateful character.
Nick increasingly begins to feel suffocated, depressed. And a new examination will not bring good news. And at that moment, he hits the bottom down. His reputation will be thrown into the mud, his name will be synonymous with scandal, and his dream will disintegrate. The scene from the moment it all happens was one of the highlights of the plot. In the midst of so much frustration, anger, impotence, and worse, betrayal (of those who were least expected – who needs an enemy with these two in his life), his rupture was understandable, it was believable. And in this we will see how a good, ordinary person will have a thoughtless attitude that will end his life.
From there it’s just tragedy. He will be judged by both the law and the media. And with so much being thrown toward him, drink seems to be a great choice. And the rock bottom gets closer. Until desperation will consume him and he will have to evaluate whether it is worth living or giving up again.
It is not an easy narrative. It shows how gloomy and depressing a human being can be without help, without hope. His family supporting him is one of the factors that contribute to his recovery.
How to resurface? How to strengthen? How to turn it around and be Undefeated? He will. After all, this is a narrative of his journey. But the stigma will haunt him, and he will have to learn to cope and move on with his life. And face the future trials that may arise.
Anna was a character who present me with love / hate. Her preoccupation with her career is fully accepted, but her game of “cat and mouse” irritated me. He is your patient. Okay. You’re attracted. Okay. You will not risk your career, obviously. But after a while, where you no longer have a bond, decide at once. Do not sneak out in the middle of the night.
Her past did not awaken me empathy either. She was an adult and knew what she was doing. What made the character worth it, was the dedication that she takes care of her patients. The sessions with Nick were very interesting. The mantra she created, and what he adopts in his life, I confess that despite a book, fiction, it moved me. It shook me like a person.
What made this book so beautiful for me was the genial twist in the middle to the end, reversing the roles. Anna had her life turned inside out. And Nick had the supporting role. I felt sorry for the characters, with so much misfortune happening. Anna did not deserve the punishment she had. Nor the family tragedy, which gave no chance for enlightenment and left so much unsaid and things not resolved. No one deserves such weight in consciousness.
Nick with all that happened, managed to learn. He learned to value himself. To value life. As much adversity as you can find, beauty is to know the light and not to be consumed by darkness.
The year just started, but Undefeated is undoubtedly one of the best books of the year. I did not expect to like it that much. I thought it would be a book about sports. I was wrong. I came across a lesson sometimes necessary. Not everything is flowers. But there is beauty in everything. It’s just appreciating. We may even fall, but we rise, shake off the dust, and continue walking. That’s life.
I’ve been kindly given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest opinion.
Vulnerably honest, painfully raw, surprisingly frank and ruggedly realistic, this amazing work is an inspiring reminder of the indomitable human spirit. “When your world crashes down . . . When they all say you’re out . . . When your mind is broken . . . I will rise . . . I will return . . . And I will be undefeated.”
Yes, of course there’s romance – hearts and flowers, passion and steam – but this book is infinitely, epically more! Talk about baring the soul! In Undefeated, Stuart Reardon peels back the layers, digging deep, and lays himself pretty darn bare. From the rugged battering on the body by the sport of rugby and the powerful influence of the mind to listlessly drifting upon being sidelined and losing the team. From the scandalous public humiliation from a moment’s bad decision to the wreckage and destruction of the bleakest depression. And finally, from the tenuous, fragile rebuilding of hopes and dreams to self-actualization and the phoenix rising from the ashes. (Ironically, I had written this statement before I read any mention of a phoenix, which means the authors did an incredible job portraying the underlying messages in this book!)
Make no mistake, the hand of Ms. Harvey-Berrick is clearly at work. During one of the most tense, serious moments in the book she had me barking with laughter, which served as a fitting reminder of her cleverness and talent as a writer. Her touch is apparent throughout this book, and each successive work of hers is better than the last!
Nick and Anna are characters we can all relate to. Nick knows and does one thing well. Rugby. When he loses that he’s utterly lost. And it’s not one quick rip like tearing off a bandage, but there’s an ongoing back and forth, up and down; a taunting. Will he heal from his injury and be able to play? Will he get out of his head and get back to his previous performance level? Can he come back from his public disgrace and once again be embraced by the public?
Anna is a woman we would love to have for a friend. She’s smart, determined and accomplished yet plenty human, still trying to put some bad choices behind her. Somehow, she still manages to remain positive and upbeat and an effective encouragement to her clients. But when the rug is yanked out from beneath her and her world is destroyed, that is when she truly learns the extent of her inner strength.
I was really beginning to wonder if these two would ever catch a break, and what an intense ride of extremes their journey to forever was! Several times their experiences would have broken a lesser man or woman, and their story is written in such a way that I felt every emotion right along with them: their incredible passion, the fear and worry of discovery of their secret relationship, the devastation and isolation when the bottom dropped out, the sacred reverence and unbreakable devotion in their reunion and the frenetic energy, determination and enthusiasm of that final rugby match. Wow!
This is easily the best book I’ve read this year (I know it’s not quite February) and goes high on the list of my top reads, as well as the list of books I’ll read again. Not only because of the depth of emotion and heart shredding that occurred (yes, I cried, darn it!) but for the powerful, uplifting message that is so vital in our uncertain world where there is so much thoughtless tearing down of others. It’s relevant today and will be just as relevant one hundred years from now. If you read only one book this year, read this one. No matter how you feel about sports or even romance, there’s something in here that will touch your life, so don’t wait to start reading Undefeated!
When I first read that the writer Jane Harvey-Berrick would write a rugby romance story, I was surprised but very happy about it because I love sport romance stories. When I later discovered that she would write this book together with Stuart Reardon I was very intrigued and curious about it. And now after reading ‘Undefeated’, I can tell you that I just LOVED it!
The emotions in this story were very intense and passionate. This story really told the hard work, the hope and the pain of a rugby player, the down side and the up side of being famous and the changes that love can bring into your heart and life. Loving someone can be hurtful, it can break you but it can also heal you and make you fly.
‘Undefeated’ is told from both POV’s. I really liked both characters, Nick and Anna, very much. Nick is a quiet, strong and loyal man and Anna is an intelligent and kind woman. This is a slow burn story. But I liked that, they went from friends to lovers.
You don’t have to know anything about rugby to read this book. I know nothing about this sport and this story had me still in suspense when Nick was playing an important rugby game. These writers told the story in such a way that I really had the feeling that I was there, hoping and praying with the rest of England that he would win.
After loving this book so much, I really hope that these writers will write another book together.
I loved this intelligent, well-written, entertaining story. Harvey-Berrick and Reardon make an excellent team!
4.5 stars! Reviewed on behalf of KFF
I was quite impressed by this contemporary sports romance written by two authors, their first collaboration. I have read a fair enough share of sports romance but this is a cut above the rest mainly because even though written in third person which isn’t my favourite style, it is narrated in a way that gives the reader a lot of information about rugby but not to the point where it puts me to sleep or make my eyes glaze over.
Dr. Anna Scott, an American sports psychologist just moved to the UK to escape a scandal and make a fresh start. Her previous relationship was a disaster. She just opened her new business and can’t afford to make a failure of herself. A driven and strong independent woman who needs to validate herself to her parents, she’s carrying a lot of baggage and getting involved with one of her patients doesn’t seem like the best way to do it. Is she willing to sacrifice love over career?
Nick Renshaw, who has rugby running through his veins ever since he was a young boy, is the star of the rugby league and on the verge of realising his dream when recruited to one of the top premier leagues in rugby. But when things seem too perfect, everything falls apart including his relationship with his fiancée. Scandal on top of another scandal plagued his career and personal life. Will he be able to rise above this trials and tribulations?
This is a well written tale of two people who underwent a lot of highs and lows, success and failure, sadness and joy, both with each other and when they were involved with other people. I feel for Anna and Nick’s pain when their secret relationship imploded. When you think everything is finally smooth sailing, another test to their relationship comes along. However, these two are resilient and strong, they are a formidable pair.
“When your world crashes down… When they all say you’re out…When your mind is broken… I will rise…I will return… And I will be undefeated.”
I love the authors’ style of writing. It is fast paced and it gripped me right from the first page I just couldn’t put it down. I felt like I was there in the stadium during the World Cup final. I felt the passion, the adrenaline, the anxiety and the euphoria it was almost like watching a movie in my mind. It is this style of writing: the technical details of the sport, that special feeling of sharing the experience that sets this book apart from the rest of the stories I’ve read of the same genre. I have never been a big sports fan, although when push comes to shove I’d rather watch a rugby match than a football match. I am totally gob-smacked that not once did I skim through some pages of this book, I savoured all the words and thoroughly enjoyed all pages of this story!
What a beautiful story about the highs and lows in life, the hard work and long progress it takes to get back up again, and the importance of acceptance.
I was pleasantly surprised about the very realistic feel of this story. The writing was very detailed and made it one of the best sports romances that I’ve read because it was really about the sport. It focused on the sportsman dealing with the ups and downs of working in this industry and I loved following his thoughts during the games and troubles with injuries. The romance was a slow burn but this didn’t bother me at all because it was so much better than all the other so-called sports romance books whose only connection to the genre was the character’s job that often wasn’t further elaborated. But fear not, there’s a love-story for all the romance fans out there. And boy, not an easy one either but one that will have your emotions all over the place. This definitely is a must-read for all the sports fans out there, even for those that don’t usually like to read books.
The story was written in the Third-Person POV which made it harder for me to connect with the characters on a deeper level but that’s just a question of personal taste because the writing was absolutely amazing and I still felt with them but just not on the same level as I probably would have if it’d been in the First-Person POV.
Nick’s life was like a rollercoaster ride. He was riding on a high, just to hit his lowest point in life shortly after. But sometimes one has to fall far to appreciate when coming out on top. Anna wasn’t spared of the rocky parts in her life either and had her fair share of falling. The characters had to struggle through a lot and there was never a dull moment which made the story a lot more interesting and had me glued to the pages.
It was a wonderful story that did not just revolve around love and romance but dealt with real life problems. The characters had great personalities and best friend qualities. This book’s the whole package and I’m sure it will receive a lot of love from readers. Happy reading.
The characters are strong, their chemistry is sizzling and the story line is captivating!! I loved every delicious page!!! This riveting book had me engrossed with the story right from the start. The collaboration between Jane Harvey-Berrick and Stuart Reardon (former Professional Rugby player, Personal trainer and model) was brilliant. This was Stuart’s first book and I hope he continues to write because he certainly has a talent, and we want more!!! I’ve been a die hard fan of his for years and jumped at the chance to read his words. OMG!! I think they did an amazing job together. I’m not that familiar with all the Rugby terminology but found that it was explained so clearly that I actually enjoyed the game segments! The characters sure run through a gambit of emotions from love to hate, jealousy and revenge, extreme defeat to life’s incredible high’s. This book had them all and it worked. Well developed characters that made you feel all their feels. I totally enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!!
Let me first just say that Stuart Reardon is so much more than just a handsome face. I didn’t know what to expect from his collaboration with Jane Harvey-Berrick, but knowing Jane’s work intimately I knew to expect something of quality. And then I started it. And I quickly realized oh this book would clearly be more than quality. And it is. It is extraordinary. I was immediately pulled into Nick Renshaw’s world of rugby and never looked back. And as the name suggests, it truly is the story of one man’s quest to not only be undefeated on the field but in his heart as well.
Although for me I truly felt this was Nick’s journey, the love story that emerges between Nick and Anna is clearly at the heart of this book. Their forbidden romance because she is his rugby team’s psychologist is full of angst but it is also filled with trust, respect and most of all the ultimate solace when each of their worlds blows apart when they are found out. Even when kept apart by circumstances out of their control, there is strong tether between each of their hearts that won’t simply go away because rules dictated their future. The heartache I felt for both Nick and Anna, whether it was because of lies told or injuries sustained was deep for me. I was so invested in their lives it was hard to not shed a tear or twenty because of their fast-changing circumstances.
The backdrop of rugby even when there is a boatload of foreign jargon being tossed about in almost every chapter was fascinating to me. As an American, I felt a bond with Anna, learning together about the ins and outs of this sometimes very brutal sport and quickly becoming a fan, when I’ve never even watched one match! With Stuart Reardon’s vast knowledge of the rugby world, the adage of writing what you know was clearly the way to go for his debut work since his experience as a former star player made this book that much more captivating.
Jane Harvey-Berrick and Stuart Reardon write seamlessly together. There is so much to absorb but I savored every word. Even though this book is quite lengthy it never felt that way. I was never bored nor was I prone to skimming, something I do when many passages in a book seem redundant. With Undefeated I was fully immersed in every single sentence, feeling almost bereft that it came to an end. It is quite the voyage through the eyes of both Nick and Anna. From doctor/patient to friends through email and then to lovers, they have certainly one helluva tale to tell. To say it is unputdownable is an understatement.
So don’t be fooled that this is yet another attempt by a cover model to jump on the romance bandwagon. This is writing at its very best and I look forward to more collaborations from these two in the future.
5 HUGE STARS!!
Three devastating ugly cries …then happy tears for that lovely hard-earned epilogue! The things Anna and Nick had to survive. GAH! They didn’t JUST survive though, they triumphed! I am NOT a sports person, and I was absolutely comfortable with how the rugby was featured. Very well done, Ms. Harvey-Berrick and Mr. Reardon.
A man on the cusp of a bigger arena for his rugby dreams, a woman on the cusp of her career finally taking off, together they have the makings of greatness and incredible passion. But it’s when their pasts come back to threaten them that their inner-strength and determination to fight will be tested. Will they remain together, unbroken, and undefeated? Or will their love be their demise?
The development of the relationship was organic, natural, and very sweet. I loved their playful banter and their email and text conversations were the absolute best. There was chemistry, trust, and love from their very beginning. Well, the love came later, but the foundation for their love was strong, passionate, and tender. I was absolutely in love with this couple.
The drama, however, was much, much, MUCH bigger than I was expecting. While I was thinking that it would just be about Nick overcoming his injury and mindset that followed his struggles it ended up being so much more than that. I can’t say that I enjoyed watching everything shatter around them multiple times, but I will say that it did make the theme and title of the story much deeper and more profound. To literally lose everything you felt your life meant and to come out on the other side undefeated.
I enjoyed Anna despite her fear and the frustration that came with clinging to her career more than love at one point. Her cowardice made her run the first time and her fear made her unable to use her training and affection for Nick to help him see that something proactive needed to be done to save her, her career, and their relationship. I admired her strength and even after she fell apart I couldn’t dislike her or pity her. She had immense struggles and needed Nick to do more than what he did.
Nick was surprisingly humble and full of heart where I was expecting someone cocky and full of hubris. His do-nothing attitude regarding Molly after his initial rage-fueled berserker binge was disappointing. I get the first time where he decided that he just wanted to be done with Molly and Kenny but when Anna was threatened on numerous occasions because of their jobs, their relationship, and his jealous ex I couldn’t help but be disappointed. To constantly make Anna feel like she was blowing things out of proportion was a selfish move that ultimately cost her her professional life and reputation as well as their romance.
He was pretty immature about it until near the end when he realized that there would be only one thing he could do for her and that was to support her from afar and assure her of his commitment to her. That moment was very sweet and full redemption. Anna redeemed from her cowardice, fear, and determined loneliness, Nick from his inaction, selfishness, and immaturity, and them together, their relationship rising from the ashes.
Ending with hope, boldness, tenderness, love, and so much happiness, Nick and Anna found what they weren’t sure they could ever attain. Success and love. Undefeated by everything that was bent on destroying them.
WOW! This book being Stu Reardon’s first attempt at writing and with one of my fave authors, Jane Harvey-Berrick, they wrote a brilliant emotional read that I just could not put down. Undefeated takes you on a painful and eye opening journey through the trails of a bad boy rugby player and a doctor who doesn’t have a clean past but both of them are very much a victim in this tale. My heart broke for Nick and Anna as everything was thrown at them. Love knows no bounds and you find it when it when you least expect it. These two had a great chemistry from the start and though they didn’t act on it right away, they were still thinking of one another.
What I really loved about this story is how real it felt. You could really feel Reardon’s experiences ring through this book when it comes to rugby and the emotions a player feels. I could only imagine how the paps are there with their sports players. I imagine a lot like they are here with hockey, baseball, football and basketball. Things get so twisted and it gets really ugly. Seeing Anna and Nick fight for their love was amazing and really tugged on the heartstrings.
I would highly recommend this book because it is a one of a kind read that will keep you on your toes, find your heart in your throat and mends your heart all in one. This was an amazing collaboration and I really hope to see more from Reardon even if its a solo work or a collaboration!
“It was the connection of people who just fit, for no particular reason. They differed and yet they were alike—changed, altered by events from their past.”
Nick Renshaw’s dream has always been to play rugby for his country in the Premier League World Cup. But when an injury puts him on the sidelines, he starts to see his dream transform into a nightmare from which he cannot wake. Enter Dr. Anna Scott—a psychologist that specializes in sports, and how the stress and injuries affect the athletes both physically as well as mentally. Dr. Scott is dedicated to her job, and when she meets Nick Renshaw, she holds firm to not letting past mistakes come back to haunt her. But there is just something about this man… With each passing day, they know they cannot step over the bounds of Dr/Patient. But when you meet your soulmate, how far will you go to claim what is yours?
Nick and Anna are both broken, but in different ways. This romance is filled with second chances at finding love…and always trying to achieve some version of a HEA.
Stuart Reardon has co-written a romance filled with heart! Highly Recommend!
I couldn’t put this book down. It is emotional, heartbreaking, and also filled with inspiration and love. It shows that family and the support of others can help you through any of life’s obstacles. Nick’s character proves that point. He may have gotten knocked down several times and he went through his slump but he got back up and tried to prove the world wrong. Anna’s character is a strong supporting female. She has also had hurdles to overcome and she came out on top. This is a must read. Such a great book!!!
Good gravy – batten down the hatches for this angsta-palooza.
And I, of course, mean that in the best way possible. There’s a lot of drama in this book and these characters…oof. Let’s just say that Undefeated is an incredibly fitting title for this book. It sometimes felt a little bit heavy. I mean, the way the story unfolds is inspiring and ultimately uplifting, but the punches you will encounter along the way? Those bad boys hurt.
However, there’s a sweetness in between those punches that helped to soften the blows. There’s also something about the writing that felt almost enchanting. I couldn’t help but want to keep reading on, even when I felt like I’d taken enough of a beating. And in the end, I’m so glad I did. It was worth it. It’s a beautiful story. These are beautiful characters. And if you are an angst junkie, you will find yourself in seventh heaven here!
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect from this author duo and I approached this book with a fair amount of skepticism, but I was very pleasantly surprised. It’s told in third-person and the point of view is a bit fluid sometimes, but I didn’t really have a problem adjusting to that. In all, I felt like this was a solid, compelling drama and absolutely worth the read!
4.5*
Undefeated, the first collaboration by Jane Harvey-Berrick and Stuart Reardon, is an extremely well written, well thought out novel based in the world of British rugby. I was completely captivated by this story- it was great to read a “sports romance” that was heavy on the actual sport itself. As an American I’m not really familiar with the sport of rugby as we’re all about football here in the US, so I loved being immersed into Nick’s world, thanks to the knowledge brought to the story by Mr. Reardon. I’m not sure if the “feel” of the story would have been the same without his expertise.
Nick and Anna’s story is an emotional journey that had me hooked from the moment these two crossed paths. I went through the highs with them, and I definitely felt the lows. I was beyond frustrated for them as they had to deal with the fall-out from their “forbidden” relationship. And not just frustrated, I was so angry for them! There were times I wanted to reach through my Kindle and punch someone, and I give mad props to Anna and Nick for being as composed as they were. Well, aside from that one time… But lord almighty, there were some very stressful moments for me- I wanted to help fix things and I couldn’t!
I enjoyed every aspect of Undefeated. I really liked the build-up towards the romance,
the detail that went into presenting the sport in a way that those of us unfamiliar with it could appreciate, and honestly, just the overall experience of navigating the ups and downs of life with Nick and Anna.This is a book that will make you think, it’ll make you smile, and if you’re like me it will drive you a little bit crazy.
This is my first experience reading these 2 authors and I was far from being disappointed. A 5 star story that kept me hooked for hours none stop.
This story had many facets, the forbidden love between Anna and Nick. She’s the therapist and he’s the patient of some sort. A sports romance. Nick is a rugby player. That’s all I’ll say. Read it.
I never read a story about a rugby player or team before. It was quite interesting and I don’t think I’ll be looking at the sport quite like before. It was educational in a way. The facts seemed right. It was full of drama and never ending angst. A beautifully written, captivating story that was full of surprises until the very end. Spaced out between a few years that flowed well.
Standalone with an amazing HEA. I highly recommend this story.